Derrick Coleman

In December '10, SU basketball legend Derrick Coleman visited Upstate's Heart and Vascular Center, where he met staff and toured the new facility. Coleman was in Syracuse filming TV spots in support of Upstate's award-winning cardiovascular program. He was sidelined by heart disease in 2004 and is now on a mission to raise awareness of heart disease and prevention methods.

Derrick Coleman was one of the greatest all around basketball players in Syracuse history. 'DC' could do it all. A tall player with tremendous arm length, he was unparalleled at rebounding, pulling down more rebounds in his career than any other player in NCAA history (modern day). This despite playing alongside other great rebounders his entire career in Syracuse, sharing the rebounds with Rony Seikaly and Billy Owens, and having great offensive rebounders like Stephen Thompson around. Coleman brought a certain swagger and confidence to the court, something that would irritate opponents and their fans. He played for SU from 1986 to 1990.

In 1990, after graduation, Coleman was the #1 pick in the NBA draft by the New Jersey Nets and enjoyed a solid NBA career. He won the NBA's Rookie of the Year award in 1991 and make the NBA All-Star team in 1994. His first five years in the league saw him averaging 20 points per game, with 10 1/2 rebounds a game, and a little over 3 assists per game.

Coleman spent 15 years in the NBA with the New Jersey Nets, Philadelphia 76'ers, Charlotte Hornets and Detroit Pistons. He was sidelined by a heart arrhythmia in 2004.